[Footnote 14: The hand of Death is said to be unjust or unequal, as Virgil was considerably older than Tibullus, at his decease.] * * * * * IMITATION OF TIBULLUS "SULPICIA AD CERINTUM." LIB. QUART. Cruel Cerintus! does this fell disease, Which racks my breast, your fickle bosom please. Alas! I wish'd but to o'ercome the pain, That I might live for love, and you again, But now I scarcely shall bewail my fate, By Death alone, I can avoid your hate. * * * * * TRANSLATION FROM CATULLUS. LUCTUS DE NORTE PASSERIS. Ye Cupids droop each little head, Nor let your wings with joy be spread, My Lesbia's favourite bird is dead, Which dearer than her eyes she lov'd: For he was gentle and so true, Obedient to her call he flew, No fear, no wild alarm he knew, But lightly o'er her bosom mov'd. And softly fluttering here, and there, He never sought to cleave the air, But chirrup'd oft, and free from care, Tun'd to her ear his grateful strain. But now he's pass'd the gloomy bourn, From whence he never can return, His death, and Lesbia's grief I mourn, Who sighs alas! but sighs in vain. Oh curst be thou! devouring grave! Whose jaws eternal victims crave, From whom no earthly power can save, For thou hast ta'en the bird away. From thee, my Lesbia's eyes o'erflow, Her swollen cheeks with weeping glow, _Thou_ art the cause of all her woe, Receptacle of life's decay. * * * * * IMITATED FROM CATULLUS. TO ANNA. Oh! might I kiss those eyes of fire, A million scarce would quench desire, Still would I steep my lips in bliss, And dwell an age on every kiss; Nor then my soul should sated be, Still would I kiss, and cling to thee, Nought should my kiss from thine dissever. Still would we kiss, and kiss forever; E'en though the number did exceed, The yellow harvest's countless seed, To part would be a vain endeavour, Could I desist?--ah! never--never. _November_ 16, 1806. * * * * * Printed by S. and J. RIDGE, Newark. End of Project Gutenberg's Fugitive Pieces, by George Gordon Noel Byron